Blanket hanger

ABSTRACT

The blanket hanger provides for the compact storage of a number of horse blankets, saddle blankets, and/or similar articles in a barn, stable, or similar facility. The blanket hanger has opposed upper and lower brackets with pivot holes therein, by which a series of blanket storage arms may be pivotally suspended. Each arm has at least an upper and a lower horizontal member, with the upper member curving downwardly to form a distal end component. A diagonal brace is provided for additional strength and support. An additional intermediate horizontal member may be provided for smaller saddle blanket storage, if desired. Horse blankets are suspended from the end of the arm, with the distal end component of the arm resting within the fold of the blanket to prevent swaying of the blanket as the arm is swung about its pivot. The different arm configurations may be interchangeably installed in the brackets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to racks, supports, and hangers,and more specifically to a blanket hanger configured for hanging horseblankets, saddle blankets, and/or similar articles thereon.

2. Description of the Related Art

Horses generally represent a substantial investment, and accordingly theowners of such animals generally see that they are well cared for. Thishas led to a number of accessories for use with horses and similar largelivestock, some of which go back for centuries. Many of theseaccessories are intended to provide for the health and comfort of theanimal, e.g., saddle blankets, horse blankets, and similar articles.

A problem with the typically large number of accessories (“tack”) oftenfound in the typical horse barn or stable, is that much of it is ratherbulky and difficult to store. While saddles are a particular example ofsuch, even other accessories, such as horse blankets and saddleblankets, can pose storage problems as well. While a single such blanketis not particularly bulky, a few such blankets may be provided for asingle animal in order to allow their rotation for cleaning, repair,etc. Moreover, the animal will typically not be wearing such blankets orother tack while resting in the stable or horse barn, and such equipmentmust be stored until needed in the future.

The present inventor is aware of various devices developed in the pastfor hanging articles. An example of such is found in Japanese PatentPublication No. 52-52,400, published on Apr. 27, 1977, which describes(according to the drawings and English abstract) various embodiments ofa device for displaying slide fasteners (zippers) for sale. The deviceincludes one or more pivotally mounted arms, with the arms beingoutwardly and downwardly inclined relative to their pivotal attachmentpoints. Each arm includes internal or external ridges, teeth, or similarelements. The single pivot, as well as the downward slope of each arm,is incapable of supporting heavier elements such as horse blankets andthe like.

However, such devices either cannot be used to support blankets or lackthe features of the present invention. Thus, a blanket hanger solvingthe aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The blanket hanger provides an efficient and relatively compact meansfor storing a large number of horse blankets, saddle blankets, orsimilar articles in a barn, stable, or similar structure, withoutrequiring additional shelving, closet or similar space, or other areaswhich require additional floor space. The blanket hanger comprises aframe or brackets that attach to the wall of a stable, barn, or otherstructure, with the frame or brackets having a series of verticallyoriented pivot holes therein. The holes provide for the removable andinterchangeable installation of corresponding hanger arm pivots therein,with the hanger arms pivoting within the holes in the frame or bracketsfor access to the arms as desired for placement or removal of blanketsthereon.

Each of the arms is formed of a series of rigid metal rods or tubeswelded to form the desired configuration. Each arm includessubstantially parallel upper and lower horizontal members, which extendfrom the hanger arm pivot. The upper arm is curved or bent 90° at itsdistal end to form a downwardly extending distal end component, with thelower horizontal member attaching to the end component. A diagonal braceis provided from the pivot to the upper member. The downwardly extendingend component lies within the fold of a horse blanket suspended from theupper horizontal member in order to maintain the vertical “hang” of theblanket and prevent it from swaying inwardly.

In another embodiment, an intermediate horizontal member may be providedfor placement of saddle blankets thereon. The lower end of the distalend component may be bent back toward the pivot to extend betweenblankets supported on the intermediate member and reduce their swayingas the arm swings arcuately about its pivot. Either embodiment providesfor hanging either horse or saddle blankets thereon, as desired, withthe arms being interchangeable on the frame or brackets as desired.

These and other features of the present invention will become readilyapparent upon further review of the following specification anddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a stable blanket hangeraccording to the present invention, showing a horse blanket and saddleblankets hanging thereon.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view with the central portions of the mountingbrackets broken away, showing alternative positioning of the differentarm types and indeterminate length.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view showing the procedure for removing andinstalling one of the blanket hanger arms in the brackets or frame.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an exemplary mounting bracket for theblanket hanger arms, illustrating the staggered relationship of the armpivot holes therein.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistentlythroughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention comprises various embodiments of a multiple armrack for holding blankets or similar articles. While the device could beused in many different environments to hold and/or store blankets orsimilar articles associated with those environments, it is particularlywell suited for use in barns, stables, and similar structures forholding horse and other livestock blankets, pads, and the like.

FIG. 1 of the drawings provides a perspective view of a first embodimentof the present blanket holder 10. The blanket holder 10 comprises aseries of pivotally disposed arms 12 a and 12 b, extending from spacedapart upper and lower brackets 14 a and 14 b. The blanket holder 10 maybe formed of any suitable materials, as desired. Aluminum stock (tube orbar, angle, etc.) is well suited for the construction of the presentblanket holder, due to its relatively high strength for its weight andits resistance to corrosion. However, other materials may be used, e.g.,mild or stainless steel, etc., as desired.

FIG. 4 provides a top plan view of either of the two brackets 14 a, 14b, as the two brackets are identical to one another. Each of thebrackets 14 a and 14 b includes a series of arm pivot holes therein,e.g., holes 16 a, 16 b, 16 c, 16 d, 16 e, etc., depending upon thelength of the brackets 14 a and 14 b and the number of arms 12 a and 12b desired for installation. As the two brackets 14 a, 14 b are identicalto one another, the corresponding holes 16 a, etc. in each bracket formvertically disposed arm pivot hole pairs.

It will be noted that the holes 16 a, 16 b, etc. are staggered relativeto one another, in relationship to the edges of the bracket 14 a, 14 b.This staggering of the blanket holder arm pivot holes allows the blanketholder arms to fold flat against, and completely parallel to, oneanother, as explained below. Each bracket 14 a, 14 b has a first end 18,an opposite second end 20, and a first edge 22 and opposite second edge24, from which the wall mounting flange extends. The first arm mountinghole 16 a is positioned near the first end 18 of the bracket 14 a or 14b, and adjacent the first edge 22 of the bracket. The next hole 16 b ispositioned somewhat farther down the length of the bracket 14 a, 14 btoward the opposite second end 20, and spaced slightly farther from thefirst edge 22. In the case of a five hole bracket as shown in FIG. 4,the third hole 16 c is centered between the two ends 18 and 20 and thetwo edges 22 and 24. This arrangement continues to the final hole 16 e,positioned near the second end 20 and adjacent the second or mountingflange edge 24 of the bracket. The holes 16 a through 16 e are evenlyspaced between the two ends 18 and 20 and also between the two edges 22and 24 of each bracket, to form a generally diagonal straight line froma point adjacent the corner of the first end 18 and first edge 22 to apoint adjacent the diagonally opposite corner of the second end 20 andsecond edge 24.

The lateral spacing of the holes, i.e., the spacing from the edges 22and 24, is such that each hole is shifted by a distance equal to thethickness of the stock material from which the arms 12 a, 12 b areformed. In other words, each hole shifts from the first edge 22 towardthe second edge 24 by one-half inch, where the arms 12 a, 12 b areformed of one-half inch thick material. Thus, when the arm extendingfrom the last hole 16 e is folded flat against the wall, the next arm 16d is spaced one-half inch farther away from the wall to allow for thethickness of the arm extending from the last hole 16 e. This foldingprocess may be continued, as shown by the folded arms 12 a in FIG. 1, toprovide efficient and compact storage for the arms.

Each arm includes a pivot shaft 26, which is removably installed withinone of the hole pairs between the two brackets 14 a, 14 b. The two typesof blanket hanger arms 12 a and 12 b illustrated may be interchangeablyinstalled in any selected hole pair position of the brackets 14 a, 14 b,as their blanket hanger arm pivot shafts 26 are identical to oneanother. In the case of the first blanket hanger arm 12 a, an uppermember 28 a extends substantially horizontally from the pivot shaft 26when the arm is installed in the brackets 14 a, 14 b, with the uppermember 28 a having a pivot shaft attachment end 30 a and an oppositedownwardly curved distal end 32 a. The distal end 32 a continues to forma substantially vertical (again, when the arm 12 a is installed) distalend component 34 a, with the end component 34 a and upper member 28 abeing formed as a single, unitary length of material. The end component34 a continues downwardly to terminate in a straight lowermost portion36 a. substantially horizontal (when the arm is installed) lower member38 a extends from its pivot shaft attachment end 40 a to attach to thedistal end component 34 a at a point above the lowermost portion 36 a ofthe end component 34 a. This assembly is braced by a diagonal bracemember 42 a, which extends upwardly from the pivot shaft end 40 a of thelower member 38 a to a point along the upper member 28 a.

The first arm type 12 a is well suited for holding and storingrelatively large horse or other large livestock blankets B, as shown inFIG. 1. The chest straps of the blanket B are secured over the uppermember 28 a of the arm 12 a, with the point where the diagonal brace 42a meets the upper member 28 a being located at about the location wherethe weight of the blanket B is suspended from the upper member 28 a, toprovide optimal strength and bracing at this point. The back of theblanket B rests against the vertically disposed distal end component 34a, with the end component 34 a preventing the blanket B from swayinginwardly due to its suspension from the chest straps, which are offsetrelative to the center of gravity of the vertically suspended blanket B.

The arm 12 b is similar to the arm 12 a, but differs in certainrespects. The arm 12 b also includes an upper member 28 b, which extendssubstantially horizontally from the pivot shaft 26 when the arm isinstalled in the brackets 14 a, 14 b. The upper member 28 b has a pivotshaft attachment end 30 b and an opposite downwardly curved distal end32 b, similarly to the upper member 28 a. The distal end 32 b continuesto form a substantially vertical (when the arm 12 b is installed) distalend component 34 b, with the end component 34 b and upper member 28 bbeing formed as a single, unitary length of material, just as in thecase of the arm 12 a. The end component 34 b continues downwardly toterminate in an upwardly and inwardly curved lower end portion 36 b. Asubstantially horizontal (when the arm is installed) lower member 38 bextends from its pivot shaft attachment end 40 b to attach to the distalend component 34 b at a point above the curved lower end portion 36 b ofthe end component 34 b. The second arm 12 b differs further from thefirst arm 12 a in that the arm 12 b also includes a generally horizontalintermediate member 41 b, which extends between the pivot shaft 26 ofthe arm 12 b and the opposite distal end component 34 b. This assemblyis braced by a diagonal brace member 42 b, which extends upwardly fromthe pivot shaft end 40 b of the lower member to a point along theintermediate member 41 b.

The second arm type 12 b is well suited for the holding and storage ofsmaller saddle blankets S thereon, as shown in FIG. 1. The series ofthree arms, i.e., upper arm 28 b, lower arm 38 b, and intermediate arm41 b, allow for the storage of at least three saddle blankets B thereon,or more if so desired. The relatively short diagonal member 42 b whichextends only to the intermediate member 41 b, provides a clear spanalong the entire length of the intermediate member 41 b for placement ofsaddle blankets S or the like thereon. The upwardly and inwardly curvedlower end 36 b of the distal end member 34 b extends between the twosides of a saddle blanket S suspended along the lower member 38 b andserves to reduce swaying of the saddle blanket S as the arm 12 b isswung one way or the other.

FIG. 2 of the drawings illustrates a second embodiment 110 of thepresent blanket hanger. The blanket hanger 110 of FIG. 2 differs fromthe blanket hanger 10 of FIG. 1, in that the blanket hanger 110 includesa pair of vertically disposed frame members 112 which connect (e.g.,welding, rivets, bolts, etc.) the respective first and second ends 18and 20 of the two brackets 14 a and 14 b, to form a rectangular frame114. The two brackets 14 a, 14 b of the embodiment 110 of FIG. 2 areshown as being of indeterminate length, with only four arms 12 a, 12 bbeing shown. It will be understood that the brackets 14 a, 14 b may beformed to have any practicable length and number of arm pivot holesdesired.

The arms 12 a and 12 b shown installed in the frame 114 of the blankethanger 110 of FIG. 2 are identical to the arms 12 a and 12 b of theblanket hanger 10 of FIG. 1, but it will be noted that they have beenrepositioned in the hanger 110 relative to the hanger 10. This is easilyaccomplished in any of the embodiments of the blanket hanger 10 or 110due to the spacing of the two brackets 14 a, 14 b and the lengths of theends of the arm pivot shafts 26, which extend beyond the upper and lowermembers 28 a and 38 a of the arm 12 a and upper and lower members 28 band 38 b of the arm 12 b. FIG. 3 provides an illustration of the removaland installation of one of the arms from or into the two brackets 14 aand 14 b of the device. In FIG. 3, the bracket attachment end of an arm12 a, with its arm pivot shaft 26, is shown in solid lines installedbetween the two brackets 14 a and 14 b. It will be noted that the pivotshaft attachment end 30 a of the upper member 28 a is displaced somewhatbelow the upper bracket 14 a, thus allowing some vertical movement ofthe arm 12 a when installed between the two brackets 14 a and 14 b. Thisallows the arm 12 a to be lifted in the brackets 14 a, 14 b to the pointthat the lower end 44 of the arm pivot shaft 26 is clear of its brackethole 16 in the lower bracket 14 b. This allows the lower end 44 of thearm pivot shaft 26 to be swung outwardly to clear the lower bracket 14b, thus allowing the entire arm 12 a to be lowered to remove the upperend 46 of the pivot shaft 26 from its hole or passage in the upperbracket 14 a. Installation of the arm 12 a (or installation of analternate arm 12 b) is accomplished by reversing the above procedure.

The relatively small diameters of the arm pivot shafts, in combinationwith the relatively large span of the arms 12 a and 12 b, result inlittle force being required to pivot the arms within their brackets 14 aand 14 b. However, the pivoting action may be made even smoother andquieter by means of bushings 48 (shown most clearly in FIG. 4) installedin the holes of at least the lower bracket 14 b (and preferably in theupper bracket 14 a, as well). The pivot shaft end 40 a, 40 b of thelower member 38 a, 38 b rides upon the upwardly dispose flange of thebushing 48, thereby precluding frictional contact between the lowermember 38 a, 38 b and the lower bracket 14 b, particularly when the arms12 a, 12 b are swung to their stored positions parallel to the lengthsof the brackets 14 a, 14 b, as shown in FIG. 1. The bushings 48 may beformed of any suitable material, e.g., nylon or other suitable plasticmaterial, Oilite® bronze, etc.

In conclusion, the present blanket hanger in its various embodimentsprovides a much needed means of hanging and storing horse blankets,saddle blankets, and similar articles where they are out of the way whenthe arms of the device are folded, yet are readily accessible whendesired. Storage space is often at a premium in horse barns, stalls, andsimilar structures, as wall space is often taken up by individualstalls, feeding troughs, and shelves and hangers for other equipment.Conventional single hanging of horse and saddle blankets requires arelatively large amount of vertical space, which is often not available.The alternative of folding such blankets and storing them on shelves isoften not suitable, particularly if they have not had the opportunity toair out after use. Accordingly, the present blanket hanger will prove tobe a very desirable device for installation and use in horse barns andstalls, and any other area where compact open-air storage combined withready access to blankets and similar articles are stored.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to theembodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodimentswithin the scope of the following claims.

1. A blanket hanger, comprising: an upper bracket; a lower bracket,spaced apart from said upper bracket, each of said bracket having aplurality of arm pivot holes formed therein, each of the holes of saidupper bracket corresponding directly to one of the holes in said lowerbracket and defining an arm pivot hole pair; a plurality ofsubstantially vertically disposed blanket hanger arm pivot shaftsremovably disposed in at least some of the arm pivot hole pairs of saidupper bracket and said lower bracket; and a blanket hanger arm extendingfrom each of said pivot shafts.
 2. The blanket hanger according to claim1, wherein each said blanket hanger arm comprises: a substantiallyhorizontally disposed upper member having a pivot shaft end and adownwardly curved distal end opposite the pivot shaft end; asubstantially vertically disposed, distal end component depending fromthe distal end of said upper member, and integrally formed therewith,said distal end component further having a straight lowermost portion; asubstantially horizontally disposed lower member having at least a pivotshaft end and extending between said pivot shaft and said distal endcomponent above the lowermost portion thereof; and a diagonal braceextending upwardly from the pivot shaft end of said lower member to saidupper member.
 3. The blanket hanger according to claim 1, wherein eachsaid blanket hanger arm comprises: a substantially horizontally disposedupper member having a pivot shaft end and a downwardly curved distal endopposite the pivot shaft end; a substantially vertically disposed,distal end component depending from the distal end of said upper memberand integrally formed therewith, said distal end component furtherhaving an upwardly and inwardly curved lower end portion extendingtherefrom; a substantially horizontally disposed lower member having atleast a pivot shaft end and extending between said pivot shaft and saiddistal end component above the lower end portion thereof; asubstantially horizontally disposed intermediate member extendingbetween said pivot shaft and said distal end component; and a diagonalbrace extending upwardly from the pivot shaft end of said lower memberto said intermediate member.
 4. The blanket hanger according to claim 1,wherein: each said bracket has a first end, a second end opposite thefirst end, a first edge, and a second edge opposite the first edge; andthe plurality of arm pivot holes of each said bracket is staggered in astraight line from a first hole adjacent the first end and the firstedge to a last hole adjacent the second end and the second edge.
 5. Theblanket hanger according to claim 1, further including a bushingdisposed within each of the arm pivot holes of each said bracket.
 6. Theblanket hanger according to claim 1, wherein: each said bracket has atleast a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and a firstframe member and a second frame member respectively connect the firstend and second end of each said bracket, with said upper bracket, saidlower bracket, said first frame member, and said second frame memberdefining a rectangular frame.
 7. The blanket hanger according to claim1, wherein at least said upper bracket, said lower bracket, each of saidblanket hanger arm pivot shafts, and each said arm are formed ofmaterials selected from the group consisting of aluminum and steelstock.
 8. A blanket hanger, comprising: an upper bracket; a lowerbracket, spaced apart from said upper bracket, each of said bracketshaving a plurality of arm pivot holes formed therein, each of the holesof said upper bracket corresponding directly to one of the holes in saidlower bracket and defining an arm pivot hole pair; a plurality ofsubstantially vertically disposed blanket hanger arm pivot shaftsdisposed in at least some of the arm pivot hole pairs of said upperbracket and said lower bracket; a blanket hanger arm extending from eachof said pivot shafts, the arm having at least: a substantiallyhorizontally disposed upper member having a pivot shaft end and adownwardly curved distal end opposite the pivot shaft end; asubstantially vertically disposed, distal end component depending fromthe distal end of said upper member and integrally formed therewith, andhaving a lowermost portion; a substantially horizontally disposed lowermember having at least a pivot shaft end and extending between saidpivot shaft and said distal end component above the lowermost portionthereof; and a diagonal brace extending upwardly from the pivot shaftend of said lower member.
 9. The blanket hanger according to claim 8,wherein: said blanket hanger arm pivot shafts are removably andinterchangeably disposed in at least some of the arm pivot hole pairs ofsaid upper bracket and said lower bracket; the lowermost portion of saiddistal end component of each said blanket hanger arm is straight; andsaid diagonal brace extends between the pivot shaft end of said lowermember and said upper member.
 10. The blanket hanger according to claim8, wherein: said blanket hanger arm pivot shafts are removably andinterchangeably disposed in at least some of the arm pivot hole pairs ofsaid upper bracket and said lower bracket; the lowermost portion of saiddistal end component of each said blanket hanger arm has an upwardly andinwardly curved lower end portion extending therefrom; a substantiallyhorizontally disposed intermediate member extends between said pivotshaft and said distal end component; and said diagonal brace extendsbetween the pivot shaft end of said lower member and said intermediatemember.
 11. The blanket hanger according to claim 8, wherein: each saidbracket has a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a firstedge, and a second edge opposite the first edge; and the plurality ofarm pivot holes of each said bracket is staggered in a straight linefrom a first hole adjacent the first end and the first edge to a lasthole adjacent the second end and the second edge.
 12. The blanket hangeraccording to claim 8, further including a bushing disposed within eachof the arm pivot holes of each said bracket.
 13. The blanket hangeraccording to claim 8, wherein: each said bracket has at least a firstend and a second end opposite the first end; and a first frame memberand a second frame member respectively connect the first end and secondend of each said bracket, with said upper bracket, said lower bracket,said first frame member, and said second frame member defining arectangular frame.
 14. The blanket hanger according to claim 8, whereinat least said upper bracket, said lower bracket, each of said blankethanger arm pivot shafts, and each said arm are formed of materialsselected from the group consisting of aluminum and steel stock.
 15. Ablanket hanger, comprising: an upper bracket; a lower bracket, spacedapart from said upper bracket, each of said brackets having a pluralityof arm pivot holes formed therein, each of the holes of said upperbracket corresponding directly to one of the holes in said lower bracketand defining an arm pivot hole pair, each said bracket having a firstend, a second end opposite the first end, a first edge, and a secondedge opposite the first edge, the plurality of arm pivot holes of eachsaid bracket being staggered in a straight line from a first holeadjacent the first end and the first edge to a last hole adjacent thesecond end and the second edge; a plurality of substantially verticallydisposed blanket hanger arm pivot shafts disposed in at least some ofthe arm pivot hole pairs of said upper bracket and said lower bracket;and a blanket hanger arm extending from each of said pivot shafts. 16.The blanket hanger according to claim 15, wherein each said blankethanger arm comprises: a substantially horizontally disposed upper memberhaving a pivot shaft end and a downwardly curved distal end opposite thepivot shaft end; a substantially vertically disposed, distal endcomponent depending from the distal end of said upper member, andintegrally formed therewith, said distal end component further having astraight lowermost portion; a substantially horizontally disposed lowermember having at least a pivot shaft end and extending between saidpivot shaft and said distal end component above the lowermost portionthereof; a diagonal brace extending upwardly from the pivot shaft end ofsaid lower member to said upper member; and said blanket hanger armpivot shafts are removably and interchangeably disposed in at least someof the arm pivot hole pairs of said upper bracket and said lowerbracket.
 17. The blanket hanger according to claim 15, wherein each saidblanket hanger arm comprises: a substantially horizontally disposedupper member having a pivot shaft end and a downwardly curved distal endopposite the pivot shaft end; a substantially vertically disposed,distal end component depending from the distal end of said upper memberand integrally formed therewith, said distal end component furtherhaving an upwardly and inwardly curved lower end portion extendingtherefrom; a substantially horizontally disposed lower member having atleast a pivot shaft end and extending between said pivot shaft and saiddistal end component above the lower end portion thereof; asubstantially horizontally disposed intermediate member extendingbetween said pivot shaft and said distal end component; a diagonal braceextending upwardly from the pivot shaft end of said lower member to saidintermediate member; and said blanket hanger arm pivot shafts areremovably and interchangeably disposed in at least some of the arm pivothole pairs of said upper bracket and said lower bracket.
 18. The blankethanger according to claim 15, further including a bushing disposedwithin each of the arm pivot holes of each said bracket.
 19. The blankethanger according to claim 15, wherein: each said bracket has at least afirst end and a second end opposite the first end; and a first framemember and a second frame member respectively connect the first end andsecond end of each said bracket, with said upper bracket, said lowerbracket, said first frame member, and said second frame member defininga rectangular frame.
 20. The blanket hanger according to claim 15,wherein at least said upper bracket, said lower bracket, each of saidblanket hanger arm pivot shafts, and each said arm are formed ofmaterials selected from the group consisting of aluminum and steelstock.